January 23, 2024
Freedom Center celebrates Black History Month with programs, film screenings and day of free admission
Black history is American history at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
CINCINNATI – The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is celebrating Black History Month with a robust schedule of programming that includes film screenings, an educator workshop and a discussion on voter advocacy.
“Black History Month is an opportunity to share stories of triumph, celebrate the perseverance of Black heritage and recognize the integral role of Black figures in our shared history,” said Woodrow Keown, Jr., president and COO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “That shared history is important because Black history is American history. These stories are part of our cultural fabric that deserve their place in our national tapestry all year, not just a single month.”
Is That Black Enough for You?!?
Friday, February 2
Join acclaimed filmmaker and critic Elvis Mitchell and actor, director and Cincinnati resident Emilio Estévez for a screening and discussion of Mitchell’s documentary Is That Black Enough for You?!? The film – written, directed and narrated by Mitchell – features interviews with Samuel L. Jackson, Laurence Fishburne, Whoopi Goldberg, Zendaya and more to explore the history of representation in American cinema, with a particular focus on the provocative and groundbreaking blaxploitation films of the 1970s.
Following the film screening, Mitchell and Estévez sit down with Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival artistic director tt stern-enzi to discuss the past, present and future of representation in cinema.
Presented in partnership with the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival.
Tickets are $10 for general public and free for Freedom Center Members. Purchase tickets at freedomcenter.org.
Why Kids Need Truthful History Classes
Thursday, February 15
The Freedom Center’s inaugural Carter G. Woodson Roundtable addresses the importance of teaching truthful history and social justice in elementary and middle school classrooms. Discover how teachers engage students to become tomorrow’s leaders and how this education impacts children’s mental health. Plus, learn how to advocate for quality education for our children. This discussion is designed for educators, parents and students, all to be empowered to advocate for the integrity of education.
The program is free, but registration is required.
gOD-Talk
Saturday, February 17
Enjoy a screening and post-film discussion of gOD-Talk, a feature-length documentary on Black millennials and faith. The film is the culmination of a five-year study exploring the lives of seven millennials – Atheist, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Ifa and Spiritualist – and their challenges and discoveries with faith and spirituality. Following the film, gOD-Talk creator and producer Dr. Teddy Reaves and writer and director Kim Moir will explore how people express and reimagine faith in the 21st century.
Presented by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture in partnership with the Pew Research Center.
The film screening and discussion is free, but registration is required. Register at freedomcenter.org.
Fifth Third Community Day – Free admission
Sunday, February 18
Museums are vital to the collective heritage of our community and the Freedom Center, through the support of the Fifth Third Foundation, is providing free admission on the fifth and third Sunday each month. The Fifth Third Community Days include free programming, exhibit activation and more.
The People’s Referendum: George Chidi on Protecting Democracy
Thursday, February 29
In 2023, voters across the country turned out in droves to vote on issues of abortion and bodily autonomy, the legalization of cannabis and procedures to amend state constitutions. On each issue, the voters made clear: citizens still hold power to enact change and they will readily hold legislators accountable. Journalist George Chidi discusses the unprecedented referendums in Ohio’s 2023 election and the subsequent efforts by the opponents of those referendums to subvert those results and limit the power of voters. In doing so, he hopes to answer: is America a government of the people or a government imposed on the people?
Tickets are $10 for general public and $5 for Freedom Center Members. Tickets are available at freedomcenter.org.
To help support and share Black history throughout the year, consider a donation to the Freedom Center. You can donate at freedomcenter.org/donate.
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About the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center opened in August 2004 on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Since then, more than 1.3 million people have visited its permanent and changing exhibits and public programs, inspiring everyone to take courageous steps for freedom. Two million people have utilized educational resources online at freedomcenter.org, working to connect the lessons of the Underground Railroad to inform and inspire today’s global and local fight for freedom. Partnerships include Historians Against Slavery, Polaris Project, Free the Slaves, US Department of State and International Justice Mission. In 2014, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center launched a new online resource in the fight against modern slavery, endslaverynow.org.
